FHA loan limits and USDA eligibility in Houston, Texas

ZIP centers in Houston look likely not USDA eligible. FHA county caps still apply. USDA scores the address, not the city.

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2026 FHA loan limits

Fort Bend County

1-unit

$541,287

2-unit

$693,050

3-unit

$837,700

4-unit

$1,041,125

Harris County

1-unit

$541,287

2-unit

$693,050

3-unit

$837,700

4-unit

$1,041,125

Houston ZIPs sit in more than one county. The property address picks the county on the loan.

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USDA property eligibility

0 likely eligible ZIPs · 95 likely not

Based on each ZIP’s geographic center vs USDA ineligible-area boundaries. Houston is not eligible or ineligible as a whole. The official test is the property address.

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USDA income limits

1–4 person household income limit

$122,800

5–8 person household income limit

$162,100

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Connect with a Lender in Houston

Connect with a lender to confirm FHA loan limits, USDA income limits, and a specific Texas address. Only a lender can confirm your official eligibility.

FHA Eligibility Requirements

You need to meet all six. Loan limits in Houston are set by county. DTI is a lender call. An FHA lender confirms the official answer.

3.5% down payment

Minimum is 3.5% (580+ score) or 10% (500–579). FHA allows the full amount to come from a gift: family, employer, labor union, or an approved program. A signed gift letter is required.

Credit score 580+ for 3.5% down

580+ qualifies for 3.5% down. 500–579 generally requires 10% down. Lenders often set their own floor above the FHA minimum.

Debt-to-income within FHA guidelines

Guidelines target a housing ratio around 31% and total DTI around 43%. Automated underwriting can approve stronger files above those thresholds. Manual underwriting uses tighter caps.

Check DTI on the affordability calculator

Primary residence only

The home must be your main residence, not a second home or investment property. You must move in within the timeline FHA and your contract require.

1–4 unit home that meets FHA standards

One-to-four unit homes, FHA approved condos, and some manufactured homes that meet FHA rules. For 2–4 units you must live in one unit. The home must pass an FHA appraisal.

Loan amount at or below the county limit

2026 one-unit limits start at $541,287 in most counties and go up to $1,249,125 in high-cost areas. 2–4 unit limits are higher. Enter a ZIP to see every FHA county on that ZIP.

See 2026 FHA loan limits

USDA Eligibility Requirements

You need to meet all six. Property location and income in Houston vary by area. A USDA approved lender confirms the official answer.

Property in a USDA eligible area

The home must be in a USDA designated rural or suburban area. Over 97% of U.S. land qualifies, including many suburbs near major cities. Use the eligibility map to check any address.

Check your area on the map

Household income at or below the area limit

USDA caps household income at 115% of the area median, with a national floor of $122,800 for 1–4 person households. Every adult in the home counts, not just borrowers. Deductions for dependents and childcare can help.

Check income limits for your ZIP

Primary residence only

The home must be your full-time primary residence. Investment properties and second homes are not eligible. You must intend to occupy the home within 60 days of closing.

Single-family property (1 unit)

USDA Guaranteed loans cover single-unit homes only. Duplexes and multi-unit properties do not qualify, even with owner occupancy. Condos and manufactured homes are eligible under specific conditions. For house-hacking a 2–4 unit property, FHA and VA are the right tools. USDA is not.

U.S. citizenship or qualified alien status

You must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. non-citizen national, or qualified alien. Permanent residents with a green card generally qualify. Your lender will verify documentation.

Credit score 640+ typical

USDA does not set a hard credit floor, but most lenders require 640+ for streamlined approval. Some lenders go lower with compensating factors. Your full credit profile (payment history, DTI, reserves) matters as much as the score.

Houston ZIPs

USPS primary city for these ZIPs is Houston. USDA property is a first look from each ZIP’s geographic center. FHA one-unit caps are county.

ZIPUSDA propertyFHA one-unit loan limitUSDA 1–4 person moderate income
77002Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77003Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77004Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77005Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77006Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77007Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77008Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77009Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77011Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77012Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77013Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77014Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77015Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77016Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77017Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77018Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77019Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77020Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77021Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77022Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77023Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77024Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77025Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77026Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77027Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77028Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77029Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77030Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77031Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77032Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77033Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77034Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77035Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77036Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77037Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77038Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77039Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77040Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77041Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77042Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77043Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77044Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77045Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77046Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77047Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77048Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77049Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77050Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77051Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77053Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77054Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77055Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77056Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77057Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77058Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77059Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77060Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77061Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77062Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77063Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77064Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77065Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77066Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77067Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77068Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77069Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77070Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77071Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77072Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77073Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77074Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77075Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77076Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77077Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77078Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77079Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77080Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77081Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77082Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77083Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77084Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77085Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77086Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77087Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77088Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77089Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77090Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77091Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77092Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77093Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77094Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77095Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77096Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77098Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800
77099Likely not eligible$541,287$122,800

Loan Information by County

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Loan options in Houston

A licensed lender can confirm USDA property eligibility, household income, and the FHA county cap for a specific Houston address — then match you if you qualify.

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